Bahrain National Football Team: A Look at the Team's History and Current Status
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The Bahrain national football team, managed by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA), is a member of both the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF). This article provides an overview of the history and current status of the team, which is also referred to as Muharabi Dilmun or Dilmun's Warriors.
History
The Bahrain national soccer team played their inaugural international match against Kuwait in 1966, which culminated in a 4-4 tie. Subsequently, the team has partaken in numerous international tournaments, such as the Asian Cup and the Arab Cup. The team's most noteworthy performance in the Asian Cup occurred in 2004, when they took fourth place. In the Arab Cup, the team has been the runners-up twice, in 1985 and 2002.
Current Status
As of April 6, 2023, the Bahraini national soccer team holds the 85th position in the FIFA rankings. Hélio Sousa is the team's head coach, and Sayed Mohammed Jaffer is the captain. The team's most capped player is Mohamed Husain, with 161 appearances, and Ismail Abdullatif is the top scorer, with 47 goals.
In 2022, the team participated in a series of friendly matches against Uganda, DR Congo, India, Burundi, and Belarus, with a record of winning three and losing two games. The team's present lineup includes players from multiple clubs in Bahrain, including Muharraq SC, Al-Ahli Manama, and Riffa SC.
Bahrain Football Association
The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) serves as the authoritative entity for football in Bahrain, responsible for overseeing football activities within the country since its establishment in 1951. The BFA is also accountable for fostering the development of football in Bahrain, which includes nurturing and training young players.
It is recently reported that the BFA has introduced a renewed committee for national teams, alongside technical and administrative staff for these teams. The association has announced the participation of Bahraini referee Abdullah Qassim in the 2023 Beach Soccer World Cup.
Conclusion
The Bahraini national soccer team boasts a proud history in international competition, highlighted by standout showings in the Asian Cup and the Arab Cup. The squad's present standing is accurately depicted by its FIFA ranking and recent exhibition matches. The Bahrain Football Association serves as a crucial influencer in Bahraini soccer, recently unveiling changes to various committees and indicating plans for overseas competitions.